5G test tools fly on drone-based network coverage

It also opens up new possibilities to ensure end user Quality of Service (QoS) for demanding 5G use cases such as industry 4.0, automotive and public safety.

A project team based in Jorvas, Finland and led by Ericsson’s 5G Readiness Program RAN Technical Lead Richard Wirén, has developed together with Centria University of Applied Sciences a novel system for testing cellular mobile network coverage.

The new system uses mobile network testing scanners and smartphones from Rohde & Schwarz mounted on a drone that can be programmed to execute automatic tests with considerable flexibility, for example for precise route selection and drone speed control.

This solution is especially valuable for industrial use cases. It also has the advantages over traditional walk and drive tests by providing unprecedented repeatability and positional accuracy with the ability to verify beamforming and map coverage in 3D.

The R&S TSMA6 network scanner is mounted on a drone and is able to simultaneously verify important LTE and 5G NR coverage metrics such as reference signal received power (RSRP) and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) in accordance with 3GPP standards.

When combined with the R&S QualiPoc Android smartphone-based optimiser, IP trace, application QoS metrics such as serving cell parameters are possible.

The solution currently uses LTE user equipment (UE) but will soon be further developed to include 5G UEs such as the Samsung S10 5G.

The drone can be programmed to follow an exact three-dimensional route. The over 20 successful measurement flights conducted so far have shown the solution procedure and results to be extremely repeatable. The drone flights were of various duration, altitudes and routes, depending on the test case.

Control, authentication and air traffic control are considerable challenges to the development of robust drone-based solutions.

In this new system they are conducted over cellular networks, eliminating the requirement for line-of-sight connection between the drone and its pilot.

The project is a collaboration between Ericsson, Rohde & Schwarz, Tampere University and Centria University of Applied Sciences and forms part of the Business Finland 5G FORCE program.

Richard Wirén, 5G Readiness Program RAN Technical Lead from Ericsson, says, “For 5G to realise its promise, field verification of operation and quality is essential, and this development is a pioneering way to ensure our customers receive the network performance they require. We are excited that we now have access to solutions based on commercially available 5G NR UEs such as the Samsung S10 5G.”

Future developments will focus on testing critical 5G applications such as public safety and machine-type communications for Industry 4.0, extending the frequency to extremely high frequencies of the mmWave bands and testing in an urban environment.